The Wigan manager, Roberto Martínez, does not expect a backlash from Aston Villa fans after rejecting the chance to take over at the club this summer. The Spaniard was approached to become the successor to Gérard Houllier when the Frenchman decided he could no longer continue at Villa Park for health reasons.

However, after a quick chat with Wigan's chairman, Dave Whelan, there was a swift refusal and Martínez quickly turned his attention back to building on his side's survival in the Premier League.

"I don't expect any reaction from the Villa fans," said Martínez. "I never wanted to leave any doubts. It was never a decision about moving to Aston Villa or another club.

"I am very privileged of being the manager of Wigan and working with the chairman we have, he is the best chairman in world football to work with.

"It was clear; we had a three-year plan and it was down to him whether he wanted me to carry on doing that or not. The moment he decided he wanted me here there was not a decision to make.

"It wasn't the right time for Wigan to have a change of manager. We need to give stability to our dressing room. It wasn't about the other club or another project, it was about my chairman and Wigan and there wasn't a decision to be made after that.

"In football you never know what could have happened but what is quite clear is we are in a position where we have great potential in this squad and it is important we start working to achieve that."

Wigan are in urgent need of a win as three successive league defeats and one in the Carling Cup have damaged their good start to the season when they picked up five points from the first three matches. Martínez has been encouraged by recent performances, despite losing 3-1 at Everton and then going down 2-1 at home to Tottenham last weekend, but knows they have to stop the losing streak.

"Top and bottom you need to get points. I feel the last two performances we should have been able to get some on the board," he said. "You get a little bit anxious in terms of getting points and we need to make sure we control that situation and perform in a manner where we do get the points.

"It is such an important game it could really change the next month of each club – that is how important it is.

"Aston Villa have a good combination of experience and talent and had a very solid start. To be unbeaten in any league is very difficult to achieve.

"We know we will have to be at our best but I feel with our squad we can go anywhere in the Premier League and get a result."